Bottled water ban rejected by Vancouver Park Board

CBC

The Vancouver Park Board has voted against phasing out the sale of bottled water at concession stands, but will study the idea of adding more water fountains.

Commissioner Michael Wiebe put forward the motion, arguing a ban on bottled water would help meet the city's Greenest City Action Plan. But that part of the motion failed to get enough support from his fellow commissioners to pass.

The board did pass a motion to study adding more water fountains to allow people to fill up their own water bottles.

In 2009, the City of Vancouver eliminated the use of bottled water in civic offices, and asked the Vancouver Park Board to follow suit. But the park board refused in 2009 as well, because of concerns over revenue loss.

The Vancouver Park Board has a supply contract with Coca-Cola, which includes the exclusive supply of still bottled water at all facilities until 2016.